Transcriptome profile of Chinese bush cricket, Gampsocleis gratiosa: A resource for microsatellite marker development

Zhi‐Jun Zhou,Xiao-Yan KOU,Lei-YangQIAN,Jing LIU 한국곤충학회 2016 Entomological Research Vol.46 No.3

The Chinese bush cricket, Gampsocleis gratiosa, has a long history as a pet in China. To date, the sequencing of its whole genome is unavailable as a non‐model organism. Transcriptomic information is also scarce for this species. The G. gratiosa transcriptome was sequenced using Illumina HiSeq 2000 paired‐end sequencing technology. In total 52 million clean reads with an average length of 90 bp were generated, which produced 74,821 unigenes with a mean length of 580 bp and an N50 length of 759 bp. In total 29,674 (39.66%) unigenes were successfully annotated against the NR, NT, Swiss‐Prot, Gene Ontology (GO), Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins (COGs) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Further functionally classified of unigenes against GO, COGs and KEGG found that a total of 11,935 (19.95%) unigenes were categorized into 61 GO terms, 19,576 unigenes were clustered into 25 COG functional categories and 17,971 unigenes were assigned to 258 KEGG pathways. In addition, 2093 microsatellite loci were identified, of which 591 loci had flanking sequences suitable for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer design. The transcriptome profile of G. gratiosa contributed to the accumulation of orthopteran genomic data, and the microsatellite loci provided useful tools for future studies of this and other closely related Gampsocleis species.

Sputum Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Metabolic Pathways and Signatures Associated With Inflammatory Phenotypes in Patients With Asthma

Liu Ying,Zhang Xin,Zhang Li,Oliver Brian G,Wang Hong Guang,Liu Zhi Peng,Chen Zhi Hong,Wood Lisa,Hsu Alan Chen-Yu,Xie Min,McDonald Vanessa,Wan Hua Jing,Luo Feng Ming,Liu Dan,Li Wei Min,Wang Gang 대한천식알레르기학회 2022 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.14 No.4

Purpose: The molecular links between metabolism and inflammation that drive different inflammatory phenotypes in asthma are poorly understood. We aimed to identify the metabolic signatures and underlying molecular pathways of different inflammatory asthma phenotypes. Methods: In the discovery set (n = 119), untargeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was applied to characterize the induced sputum metabolic profiles of asthmatic patients with different inflammatory phenotypes using orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and pathway topology enrichment analysis. In the validation set (n = 114), differential metabolites were selected to perform targeted quantification. Correlations between targeted metabolites and clinical indices in asthmatic patients were analyzed. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were established to assess the association between metabolites and severe asthma exacerbations. Results: Seventy-seven differential metabolites were identified in the discovery set. Pathway topology analysis uncovered that histidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism as well as phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis were involved in the pathogenesis of different asthma phenotypes. In the validation set, 24 targeted quantification metabolites were significantly expressed between asthma inflammatory phenotypes. Finally, adenosine 5′-monophosphate (adjusted relative risk [adj RR] = 1.000; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.050), allantoin (adj RR = 1.000; 95% CI = 1.000–1.000; P = 0.043) and nicotinamide (adj RR = 1.001; 95% CI = 1.000–1.002; P = 0.021) were demonstrated to predict severe asthma exacerbation rates. Conclusions: Different inflammatory asthma phenotypes have specific metabolic profiles in induced sputum. The potential metabolic signatures may identify therapeutic targets in different inflammatory asthma phenotypes.

<i>Chd7</i> Is Critical for Early T-Cell Development and Thymus Organogenesis in Zebrafish

Liu, Zhi-Zhi,Wang, Zi-Long,Choi, Tae-Ik,Huang, Wen-Ting,Wang, Han-Tsing,Han, Ying-Ying,Zhu, Lou-Yin,Kim, Hyun-Taek,Choi, Jung-Hwa,Lee, Jin-Soo,Kim, Hyung-Goo,Zhao, Jian,Chen, Yue,Lu, Zhuo,Tian, Xiao-L Elsevier 2018 The American journal of pathology Vol.188 No.4

<P>Coloboma, heart defect, atresia choanae, retarded growth and development, genital hypoplasia, ear anomalies/deafness (CHARGE) syndrome is a congenital disorder affecting multiple organs and mainly caused by mutations in CHD7, a gene encoding a chromatin-remodeling protein. Immunodeficiency and reduced T cells have been noted in CHARGE syndrome. However, the mechanisms underlying T lymphopenia are largely unexplored. Herein, we observed dramatic decrease of T cells in both chd7knockdown and knockout zebrafish embryos. Unexpectedly, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and, particularly, lymphoid progenitor cells were increased peripherally in nonthymic areas in chd7-deficient embryos, unlikely to contribute to the T-cell decrease. Further analysis demonstrated that both the organogenesis and homing function of the thymus were seriously impaired. Chd7 might regulate thymus organogenesis through modulating the development of both neural crest cell-derived mesenchyme and pharyngeal endoderm-derived thymic epithelial cells. The expression of faxn1, a central regulator of thymic epithelium, was remarkably down-regulated in the pharyngeal region in chd7-deficient embryos. Moreover, the T-cell reduction in chd7-deficient embryos was partially rescued by overexpressingfoxnl, suggesting that restoring thymic epithelium may be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating immunodeficiency in CHARGE syndrome. Collectively, the results indicated that chd7 was critical for thymic development and T-lymphopenia in CHARGE syndrome may be mainly attributed to the defects of thymic organogenesis. The current finding may benefit the diagnosis and therapy of T lymphopenia and immunodeficiency in CHARGE syndrome.</P>

Multiple Sexual Partners as a Potential Independent Risk Factor for Cervical Cancer: a Meta-analysis of Epidemiological Studies

Liu, Zhi-Chang,Liu, Wei-Dong,Liu, Yan-Hui,Ye, Xiao-Hua,Chen, Si-Dong Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.9

It's known that having multiple sexual partners is one of the risk factors of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection which is a major cause of cervical cancer. However, it is not clear whether the number of sexual partners is an independent risk factor for cervical cancer. We identified relevant studies by searching the databases of MEDLINE, PubMed and ScienceDirect published in English from January 1980 to January 2014. We analyzed those studies by combining the study-specific odds ratios (ORs) using random-effects models. Forty-one studies were included in this meta-analysis. We observed that the number of sexual partners was associated with the occurrence of non-malignant cervical disease (OR=1.82, 95%CI 1.63-2.00) and invasive cervical carcinoma (OR=1.77, 95%CI 1.50-2.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the association remained significant after controlling for HPV infection (OR=1.52, 95%CI 1.21-1.83 for non-malignant disease; OR=1.53, 95%CI 1.30-1.76 for invasive cervical carcinoma). We found that there was a non-linear relation of the number of sexual partners with both non-malignant cervical disease and invasive cervical carcinoma. The risk of both malignant and non-malignant disease is relatively stable in women with more than 4-7 sexual partners. Furthermore, the frequency-risk of disease remained significant after controlling for HPV infection.The study suggested that h aving multiple sexual partners, with or without HPV infection, is a potential risk factor of cervical cancer.

Synthesis of (co-)polyethylene with broad molecular weight distribution by the heterogenous Ziegler–Natta catalysts via one-pot strategy

Zhi Liu,Xinli Zhang,Haibing Huang,Jianjun Yi,Wei Liu,Weijiao Liu,Hongpeng Zhen,Kejing Gao,Mingge Zhang,Wantai Yang,Qigu Huang 한국공업화학회 2012 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.18 No.6

A new method was presented for preparing (co-)polyethylene with broad molecular weight distribution (MWD) and high molecular weight employed by the novel heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta catalysts via one-pot strategy. The preparation of these catalysts involved the introduction of alkoxy silane compounds as electron donors. The influences of the electron donors structure, as well as polymerization conditions such as temperature, molar ratio of Al/Ti, ethylene pressure and the concentration of 1-hexene in feed on the polymerization performance for ethylene (co-)polymerization, were investigated. The morphology of the catalyst particles was characterized by SEM and Ti content of these catalysts was characterized by ICP. The GPC results showed that the obtained homopolyethylene and ethylene/1-hexene copolymer had the widest molecular weight distribution up to ca 50 when diethoxy-isopropoxy-(t–butoxy)-silane (ED3) was used as internal electron donor. The 13C NMR and FT-IR analysis indicated that these catalysts efficiently catalyzed the copolymerization of ethylene with 1-hexene.

Evaluation of insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Allium chinense G. Don and its major constituents against Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel

Xin Chao Liu,Xiao Nan Lu,Qi Zhi Liu,Zhi Long Liu 한국응용곤충학회 2014 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.17 No.4

Water-distilled essential oil from the dried bulbs of Allium chinense (Liliaceae) was analyzed by gaschromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Eighteen compounds, accounting for 98.4% of the total oil,were identified and the main components of the essential oil of A. chinense were methyl allyl trisulfide(30.7%), dimethyl trisulfide (24.1%), methyl propyl disulfide (12.8%) and dimethyl disulfide (9.6%) followed bymethyl allyl disulfide (3.4%) and methyl propyl trisulfide (3.6%). The essential oil exhibited contact toxicityagainst the booklice (Liposcelis bostrychophila) with an LC50 value of 441.8 μg/cm2 while the two major constituents,dimethyl trisulfide and methyl propyl disulfide had LC50 values of 153.0 μg/cm2 and 738.0 μg/cm2 againstthe booklice, respectively. The essential oil of A. chinense possessed strong fumigant toxicity against the booklicewith an LC50 value of 186.5 μg/l while methyl allyl trisulfide (LC50=90.4 μg/l) and dimethyl trisulfide (LC50=114.2 μg/l) exhibited stronger fumigant toxicity than methyl propyl disulfide (LC50= 243.4 μg/l) and dimethyldisulfide (LC50= 340.8 μg/l) against the booklice. The results indicated that the essential oil and itsmajor constituentshave potential for development into natural insecticides or fumigants for control of insects in stored grains.

Colorimetric Probe Coupled to Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction for Determination of Dopamine in Serum

Zhi-gang Tai,Yi-ren Zhu,Yi-bo Yuan,Jin Liu,Zhen-jie Li,Zhi-hua Liu,Kun-miao Wang 대한화학회 2020 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.41 No.3

In this work, a highly sensitive method using a colorimetric probe coupled to dispersive liquid?liquid microextraction (DLLME) was developed for the quantitative determination of dopamine (DA) in serum. The DA in serum was concentrated by DLLME to increase the detection sensitivity and reduce the matrix effects. After the DLLME process, a colorimetric probe of silver triangular nanoparticles (AgTNPs) was used to detect DA, which was based on the plasma transformation of AgTNPs caused by strong interactions with melamine (MA). The results showed that DA could inhibit the aggregation of AgTNPs induced by MA, resulting in the recovery of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of AgTNPs. Thus, the DLLME method followed by colorimetric probe detection of DA can be achieved. The parameters affecting the proposed method were optimized, under the optimal conditions, a linear calibration curve was obtained over a concentration range of 5 to 250?nM with a recovery from 94.4 to 101.3%. The detection limit was 1.6 nM (at an S/N ratio of 3). The present method was successfully applied to determine DA in human serum.

Theoretical Analysis of the One-Bit-of-Information Conjecture for Independent Component Analysis

Zhi-yong Liu,Kai-chun Chiu,Lei Xu 제어로봇시스템학회 2002 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2002 No.10

Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha-induced Protein 8 in Pancreas Tissues and its Correlation with Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor Levels

Liu, Ke,Qin, Cheng-Kun,Wang, Zhi-Yi,Liu, Su-Xia,Cui, Xian-Ping,Zhang, Dong-Yuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.3

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced protein 8 (TNFAIP8 or TIPE) is a recently identified protein considered to be associated with carcinogenesis. To investigate its expression pattern in pancreatic cancer patients and to analyse its correlation with clinicopathological significance and the expression levels of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the TNFAIP8 and EGFR proteins in pancreatic cancers, pancreatitis tissues, and healthy controls. The results showed stronger staining of TNFAIP8 protein in pancreatic cancer tissues compared with normal pancreas tissue. Furthermore, in 56 patients with pancreatic cancer, the expression levels of TNFAIP8 in patients with low tumor stage was higher than that with high tumor stage, and correlated with tumor staging and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Furthermore, TNFAIP8 expression positively correlated with EGFR levels (r=0.671135, P<0.05). These results indicate that TNFAIP8 may play important roles in the progression of pancreatic cancer.

Time Trends of Esophageal Cancer Mortality in Linzhou City During the Period 1988-2010 and a Bayesian Approach Projection for 2020

Liu, Shu-Zheng,Zhang, Fang,Quan, Pei-Liang,Lu, Jian-Bang,Liu, Zhi-Cai,Sun, Xi-Bin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

In recent decades, decreasing trends in esophageal cancer mortality have been observed across China. We here describe esophageal cancer mortality trends in Linzhou city, a high-incidence region of esophageal cancer in China, during 1988-2010 and make a esophageal cancer mortality projection in the period 2011-2020 using a Bayesian approach. Age standardized mortality rates were estimated by direct standardization to the World population structure in 1985. A Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) analysis was carried out in order to investigate the effect of the age, period and birth cohort on esophageal cancer mortality in Linzhou during 1988-2010 and to estimate future trends for the period 2011-2020. Age-adjusted rates for men and women decreased from 1988 to 2005 and changed little thereafter. Risk increased from 30 years of age until the very elderly. Period effects showed little variation in risk throughout 1988-2010. In contrast, a cohort effect showed risk decreased greatly in later cohorts. Forecasting, based on BAPC modeling, resulted in a increasing burden of mortality and a decreasing age standardized mortality rate of esophageal cancer in Linzhou city. The decrease of esophageal cancer mortality risk since the 1930 cohort could be attributable to the improvements of socialeconomic environment and lifestyle. The standardized mortality rates of esophageal cancer should decrease continually. The effect of aging on the population could explain the increase in esophageal mortality projected for 2020.